What tools would you be stranded on an island with?

A compass divider & square. While you are there, buy Japanese hand saws for ripping and cross cutting. Also, you may want to bring some clamps.In closing, thank you for your dedicated service to our country!

-- I love the smell of sawdust in the morning....

I would bring a Frame saw with all the different blades, that way you can fit a ripsaw, cross cut and scroll saw in the space of one saw.

-- Thuan

Two original quality Workmates you can lay a couple boards across as a field expedient workbench, or at least one.

-- If you think healthcare is expensive now, wait until it's free! PJ O'Rourke

Sounds like you made a nice list- you may consider picking up some Japanese hand tools/chisels, saws, carving THERE- I bet there is a great “black market” and/or used market – you may be able to get some authentic Japanese tools at a great price.

-- Bill - - Ad-Marketing Guy, Ramsey NJ

Don’t they sell power tools in Japan?

-- There are three kinds of people... those who can count, and those who can't

Hi Slacker,
They do sell power tools in Japan, but I won’t have the room in my military quarters, nor the weight allowance to bring them back home. I just want to put together a small shop to allow me to take the edge off my wood addiction while I’m there: small boxes, frames, maybe a little marquetry, and some carving. I’m definitely looking at doing what Bill suggested, buying some Japanese hand-tools (If my wallet can survive the shock).

-- New to the craft and loving every minute!

Mottom, I don’t know where in Okinawa you will be stationed, but it is possible the base will have a wood hobby shop. It could make your choices of tools a lot easier. pkennedy

-- P Kennedy Crossville, TN

I really hope they do have shop, but I’m planning like they won’t. I was on the Rock (Oki) 13 years ago and no shop then (or at least I don’t remember one…I wasn’t into wood at the time). I checked the military SITES (some acronym I don’t remember) database, but it didn’t list one. I hope I’m wrong, but I’ve got to plan for tools to keep playing. If they do have a shop, hopefully, my hand-tool collection will complement their power tools; oftentimes, military wood shops have good power tools, but but poorly maintained hand tools (becausae our military mind-set…”apply more power”...isn’t always the best thing for fine tools).

-- New to the craft and loving every minute!